We’re all trying to find ways to put food on our plates. Sadly enough, the first few weeks or months of the pandemic caused some of us to lose our jobs. The unemployment rate skyrocketed because many businesses had to lay off some of their employees to avoid going bankrupt.
Luckily, businesses are slowly trying to get back on their feet. Thanks to the developments we’ve made in technology and internet communication, various companies have started using remote work settings.
This resulted in a sudden need for employees who are well-versed in computer technology and the application of various business processes in a digital setting. Because of this, businesses opened up their doors to look for new applicants.
Why Bother?
We believe that it is the responsibility of businesses to ensure that their hiring process is applicant-friendly. One common question we receive from business owners and other people whenever we mention this is; why bother?
Why must we put time, effort, and money into making sure that we are empathic towards our applicants? Technically, they’re not part of the company yet, right? So, why should we invest in this area of the business?
First of all, applying for a job is extremely exhausting and overwhelming. Now that we’re going through one of the darkest times in recent history because of Covid-19, it wouldn’t hurt to be a little empathetic of other people, right? Lessening the burden, frustration, and fear that any applicant may experience during the application process will go a long way.
Furthermore, having an applicant-friendly hiring process will attract more potential candidates. If your business is accommodating, people would instinctively choose to apply to your company. This increases the chances of hiring the best candidates in the talent market.
How to be Applicant-Friendly
Now that we’ve figured out how important it is to be applicant-friendly, let’s talk about the various ways on how you can execute this. Below are some things you can try.
Be Honest
The first tip on being applicant-friendly is to be honest about the job or, rather, be specific. Many companies out there are quite vague in detailing a job’s description to allow them to assign other related tasks to a certain position. This is one of the worst things you can do as a business. Ensure that the job description specifies the tasks an employee is supposed to do, nothing more and nothing less. Furthermore, it would also be helpful if you tell applicants right away about your salary and compensation. This is crucial because they want to know if a certain job can pay for their lifestyle.
Updates
Next, make sure that you update your applicants. We should discard the old culture of “we’ll call you.” If an applicant didn’t get the job, inform them about it. This will ensure that you’re not wasting their time, and they can look for other openings in different companies. On the other hand, be swift in inviting applicants who passed the initial tests or interviews to guarantee that you don’t lose them. Don’t worry. This is easier now because of scheduling software for candidate interviews to help you in the hiring process.
Simple
Hiring an applicant is like looking for the right piece on your jigsaw puzzle. You don’t want to waste time on an applicant who does not fit your description. In the same way, applicants don’t want to waste their time on unnecessary things. That’s why it’s also helpful if the hiring process is simple.
Avoid asking questions that are not in any way related to the job they’re applying for. Make sure that you also avoid repeating the same questions and asking for the same information over and over. The best hiring process is to get the information you need, and that’s it. This will save you lots of time and money, and you will also have a better idea of which applicants are worth pursuing.
Utilize Smartphones
Forget printed application forms; we’re way past the Jurassic era. In today’s day and age, people are always on their smartphones. This goes to prove that the best application process is one that utilizes mobile phones. Use digital application forms where applicants can fill in their information. Interviews and other questions can also now be conducted through the internet, so you may want to look into that as well. This lessens the need for them to go to your company.
We know you want the best applicant in your team, but sometimes, we also need to ask ourselves; are we the best team/company for an applicant? Keep in mind that your hiring process is a reflection of your company. Make it a point to improve it.
